Reinhard Muster and his family believe that good wine is made with love. They have followed this formula for years. They are committed to craftsmanship out of conviction. The wines are consistently well-balanced in taste, yet traditional in the sense of time-honoured. In southern Styria, in the lee of the Alps, the Illyrian climate determines the weather. Contrasting weather conditions with Mediterranean hours of sunshine, large temperature fluctuations and abundant rainfall are not uncommon, but the norm. The Muster family is aware of these unique advantages and produces naturally good wine with composure and serenity.
Should the first or the last glass of a bottle of wine give the greatest pleasure? This fundamental question determines what is done in the cellar. "We are resolutely committed to the last glass," says Reinhard Muster. Since the 1990s, local winegrowers have changed the way they make their wines. In the past, work in the cellar was central and had a major influence on the wine. In a sense, the wine was 'made' then; now the wines are 'allowed to develop'. From the grape to the bottle, the work in the cellar is the necessary foundation. The wine evolves: one observes quietly in the background. Of course, the winemaker still has a marked influence on the characteristics and quality, but in a targeted, deliberate and rational way. The last glass of each bottle is therefore very rewarding.
Reinhard Muster is the down-to-earth and open-minded head of the winery.
He is the creative mind of the winery and goes about his daily routine with diligence, no matter what the situation may be. Miriam and Laurenzia are the whirlwinds of the winery, always in high spirits. A colourful team works here, taking on tasks beyond their scope and performing small miracles every day with diligence and flair.
The classic wines showcase the diversity of South Styrian grape varieties and their very distinctive flavours. They are mostly vinified in stainless steel tanks to preserve the typical character of the grape varieties. The wines are fruity and approachable and are usually drunk young.
The temperamental Illyrian weather has always brought out the characteristics of each grape variety in the bottle. The label also pays homage to the weather, and the "Reverence" series is now called "Illyr". The ripest grapes, those most affected by the weather during the year, are aged in various wooden barrels and stainless steel tanks until they begin to mature, and then bottled the year after the harvest.
Europe - Austria - South Styria - Gamlitz - Grubthal: The more unique the origin, the higher the demand for quality. At the top of the quality pyramid are the Grosses Gewächse from the Grubthal vineyard. This can be quite a challenge, which is why these wines are only made in exceptional vintages. For these wines, cellar management is only a means to an end. The grapes are fermented and matured for 20 to 30 months in new and old oak barrels. Complexity, structure and saline minerality characterise these wines. They reach their optimum maturity after three to four years and have a cellaring potential of at least 10 to 15 years.
